The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday filed a case against the ruling Awami League’s research wing, the Centre for Research and Information (CRI), on charges of securing tax exemption without registration, embezzling funds and laundering a large sum of money through irregular transactions.
Assistant Director Mubashshira Atia Tama filed the case at the ACC’s Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1, on Monday, said ACC Public Relations Officer and Deputy Director Akterul Islam.
The case names eight accused, including CRI Trustee Board Chairman and ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy; Vice Chairman and Hasina’s daughter Saima Wazed Putul; Trustee and Hasina’s nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby; former finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal; former state minister for power Nasrul Hamid; former NBR chairman Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan; former NBR member Rowshan Ara Akhter; and CRI Executive Director Shabbir Bin Shams.
According to the case statement, a total of Tk 15.68 crore from the funds deposited in CRI’s accounts was embezzled while CRI enjoyed tax exemption benefits despite not being registered under the Department of Social Services, causing financial losses to the government.
The complaint further said the organization conducted ‘unusual transactions’ across multiple bank accounts, transferring large sums of money suspected to be linked to money laundering activities.
The ACC investigation found that despite lacking registration, CRI collected Tk 45.35 crore from 23 different entities. Review of income tax records showed that between the fiscal years 2014–15 and 2023–24, CRI reported income of Tk 100.31 crore but failed to provide valid documentation for Tk 20.45 crore in expenditures.
The discrepancy analysis indicated that while CRI’s accounts showed a balance of Tk 70.80 crore, bank statements reflected only Tk 55.11 crore, leaving Tk 15.68 crore unaccounted for, which the ACC claims was embezzled.
The case further alleges that in 2019, CRI trustee Nasrul Hamid applied to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) for tax exemption despite the organization not having proper registration. The then finance minister, NBR chairman, and NBR member approved the request, issuing SRO No. 83-Law/2019, which the ACC says violated provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance.
Taking advantage of the exemption, CRI allegedly evaded a total of Tk 36.52 lakh in taxes over three fiscal years while Tk 9.47 lakh in 2020–21, Tk 13.26 lakh in 2021–22, and Tk 13.78 lakh in 2022–23.
The ACC said its review of 25 bank accounts under CRI’s name revealed deposits of Tk 247.85 crore and withdrawals of Tk 191.21 crore, amounting to transactions worth Tk 439 crore deemed ‘unusual’.
The incident occurred between December 30, 2014, and July 10, 2024.